Booked a secret hotel via Lastminute.com? Let us know

Former_MSE_Sally

Hi folks,

If you've ever booked a secret hotel deal via Lastminute.com, let us know how you got on. Did you uncover the hotel before booking? How much did you save?

Post your responses below.

Thank you

MSE Sally

littlereddevil

I would never book with lastminute.com again, as when i did book a proper hotel it wasn't available when we got there and we were left stranded with no help from them

paddyrg

The '80% off' room I got was roughly worth the £100-odd I paid for it, and not even close to the supposed £450+ rack rate. The hotel clearly created an artificial rate table which they discounted as 'hidden' rooms because you couldn't look them up to check for reasonableness.

Since then, I'd much rather choose than be taken for a mug again.

Westin

I do hope that MSE are not going to start recommending Lastminute.com in their weekly round up newsletter.

Paddyrg makes a fair point. The old lastminute.com is nothing like the current operation under the ownership of Bravofly.

A quick google for lastminute.com reviews or a look at Trip Advisor forums will soon highlight issues with the 'new' lastminute.com / Bravofly.

bellmal

The secret hotel scheme run by lastminute.com is in my opinion a scam.
I decided to give it a try as I was going to be in Rome for one night with my daughter before a flight home. Spent some time trying unsuccessfully to identify the hotel before booking but took the plunge anyway.
A 4 star hotel with appalling reviews and a grand saving of 47 pence, that is 0.83958556627367%!
Customer services was not interested and even claimed that the city tax (not shown on lastminute's website but was on the screen shots sent to them) proved the saving.
Went to the credit card company that refunded the money straight away as a disputed charge. Also raised it with the Advertising Standards Authority.
Last time I ever venture on to lastminutes website!
Be warned

SW17

Not endorsing Lastminute in any way, but I'd seriously doubt they are directly responsible for the level of "saving". The vast majority of such rates are set by the property, not the OTA, whether it's Lastminute, Hotwire etc.

These "secret" rates exist primarily to allow (mostly chain-affiliated) hotels to sell distressed inventory without breaking their own best rate guarantees. There are many genuine savings to be had, but equally examples where the saving will be negligible. The OTA may have an agreement the rates should be xx% below the best available rate, but policing this is not always easy. Always compare, caveat emptor..

VSynth

How accurate are lastminute.com descriptions as far as location concerned?

For example if it says 'Boutique hotel in Leicester Square' is it guaranteed to be there and not a mile away?

flamingojojo

Hi All,

I'm stuck!! Do any of you know the answer to below please? Thought it might be Grange St Pauls, but isn;t brand new and also I have booked it before and the write up was different. Can you please help? Thank you! :):A

Brand New Luxury 5-Star Hotel With Roof Terrace In The Heart Of The City

Combining classic architecture with contemporary interior design and comforts, this hotel sits in the heart of the City, within walking distance of sights like St Paul’s Cathedral. On-site you’ll find stylish restaurants and state-of-the-art fitness facilities. Each room is filled with luxurious contemporary furnishings, including a flat-screen TV and private bathroom with rain shower.

Travellers review rating 92 Excellent 1347 reviews
SERVICES
Internet
High speed internet access
Wireless high-speed Internet access (complimentary)
Children
Cot on request
Cribs (infant beds) available
Extra bed
Food & drink
Coffee/tea facilities
Restaurant
Coffee/tea maker
Rooftop terrace and lounge
Mini-bar
Activities
Fitness Center
Swimming Pool
Indoor Pool
Media & technology
Phone
Plasma TV screen
Telephone
Business equipment
Meeting Rooms
Bathroom
Hair dryer
Hairdryer
Shower/tub combination
General
Desk
spa
Extra adult charge
Non-smoking only

pogofish

Surely you found out the name of the place when you stayed there?

littlereddevil

Shouldn't be hard to find out with that amount of info!

Pinkie1

I have used last minute.com secret booking a few times but only when I am 100% sure I know where I am booking, usually it is about a £20 per night saving. I find using the 'distance from' feature helps narrow down so you can see the real price of the actual hotel. It does take a lot of checking to work out where you are going to get, but has always been worth the effort for me.